CRICKET umpires have stumped up cash for our appeal.

Kidderminster and District Cricket Umpire's Association has pitched in £100 for Operation Covert, boosting the appeal total to £21,845.

Members chose to deal with a different kind of appeal to further help the young people of Wyre Forest.

The association hosts a cricket tournament for district schools each summer and said it wanted to secure another vital resource for the district's youngsters.

Association secretary, Brian Kelly, said: "We just wanted to help the youth in the area and we thought it was such a terrible thing that happened at Rhydd Covert that we ought to put in a little bit to help."

District commissioner for Kidderminster & District Scout Council, Dave Denton, thanked the association for its support.

He said: "It is great to see sporting groups supporting our appeal. Sport plays as important a part in many young people's lives as Scouting does so we are thrilled to receive the association's support."